Are You Ready To Embrace Emerging Digital Aviation?

I hate traffic. I think I can safely assume I am not alone on that point. On the morning I wrote this article, I once again headed to the airport; currently a weekly activity and a journey that takes anywhere from 50 to 80 minutes, depending on the traffic. The uncertainty in timing, maneuvering around drivers who need to drive 10-20 km/h under the speed limit, and sudden brake for those that cut into your safety zone all add to the stress of the day. It’s not that I don’t have alternatives. I could catch the train. Greater certainty in the schedule for sure, but I will add at least another 30 minutes to the travel time. A taxi or ride-share works too, but I will be in the same traffic and paying a lot more for the privilege. Only if there was a transport that weighed against time, was cost-effective, avoided the traffic, and gave me back valuable time? Well, that solution may be closer than we think, and it’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). As exciting as it sounds, will you be ready to embrace this emerging technology?

For the last few months, I’ve had the privilege of engaging with experts in this emerging technology, although it’s an emerging industry ecosystem, as I will explain. So what is AAM? Some colloquially refer to it as ‘remember The Jetsons’ or ‘air taxis’, both terms understating the complexity and nature, but most people can quickly visualize the concept of what one is referring to.

The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) refers to AAM as “emerging aviation technologies, such as electronic vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOL) and other uncrewed or automated aircraft, to move people and cargo.” It also recognizes AAM as ‘emerging digital aviation’, which is not surprising as not only will each part of the ecosystem be collecting, analyzing, and acting on data, but each part relies on the exchange of data and integration with each other part.

"The future of the aam ecosystem will be heavily dependent on big data"

Air traffic management: Digital services will be key to ensuring the safe operation and integration of air vehicles in populated areas while also not being a threat to traditional forms of air transportation. Routes will need to be carefully selected based on passenger demand, safety, and community acceptance. Another Federal Government department, Air services Australia, is the key authority here.

Flight Operations: Even with autonomous vehicles, the services will not happen by themselves. Initially, there will be pilots, while flights need to be scheduled, routes planned, electricity produced and supplied, and someone needs to have ownership of the customer experience.

Infrastructure: Naturally, the vehicles must land somewhere. Specially designed and appropriately located vertiports are required to cater to a range of vehicle designs and passenger input. These are not necessarily the same as a helipad, which in many cases may be too small. And don’t expect the vehicle to land just anywhere. This will involve a coordinated approach by Local, State, and Federal Government departments, working closely with industry.

Customer experience: Customers may include emergency services, tourism operators, transport companies, high-wealth individuals, and the general traveling public. I anticipate the customer interface will be similar to ground-based ride-share companies, i.e., through an app on a smart device. With increased uptake, the cost per passenger will decrease over time. And now for some observations.

Social license: Will the public tolerate such vehicles flying overhead in terms of sight and sound? Even with very low decibels, frequency, duration, and time of day can all affect acceptance by third parties, whether issues are real or perceived. Prominence of Start-ups: The AAM industry consists of a significant number of start-ups. I suggest we are still on the initial upwards climb on the entrepreneurial curve, after which market consolidation will be.0

Funding: In Australia, AAM will benefit from Government funding and venture capital. Unfortunately, the latter drives a lot of marketing, which gives the impression that progress is more advanced than it actually is. Some companies are investing their own funds into AAM vehicle development. However, funding is also required to support the other elements of the ecosystem.

Interdependencies: The development of each element of the AAM ecosystem in parallel is essential for the successful localization of its operation. For example, a Type Certificated air vehicle cannot fly if there is no air traffic management system in place or vertiports to land on.

Reliance on managing big data: The future of the AAM ecosystem will be heavily dependent on big data. The ecosystem consists of a system of systems, with each needing to interact for safe and efficient operations and a transportation experience that not only results in repeat customers but a rapidly growing customer base.

In closing, AAM represents a great opportunity for society and industry, particularly around big data, but as an individual, are you ready to embrace this emerging aviation technology?